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google and samsung are teaming up to take on apple’s watchos

May 18, 2021
google and samsung are teaming up to take on apple’s watchos

Samsung and Google Forge Wearable Partnership

Despite a history of collaboration in the mobile sector, Samsung’s limited engagement with Google’s wearable technology has been somewhat unexpected. While the hardware manufacturer previously experimented with Android Wear, it subsequently dedicated several years to developing its own operating system based on open-source principles, known as Tizen.

A Unified Platform for Developers

Today marks a shift, as both companies have announced a partnership centered around a “unified platform.” This collaboration aims to streamline app development, enabling developers to create applications compatible with both Wear OS and Tizen simultaneously. This strategic alliance addresses a key challenge for both companies: the availability of third-party applications.

The partnership represents a chance for these two competitors to consolidate their resources and challenge Apple’s dominance in the smartwatch market, a position it has largely maintained since the introduction of the original Apple Watch.

Wear OS Evolution and Samsung’s Strategy

Wear OS has undergone several iterations, including a rebranding from Android OS, yet it has struggled to gain significant traction. Currently, Samsung’s involvement appears less as a complete adoption of Wear OS and more as a strategic alignment against a common competitor.

Alongside the development of a shared API, the companies will focus on integrating the strengths of each operating system. A primary goal is to improve battery life, a persistent challenge for smartwatch technology.

Focus on Health and Wellness

“We recognize the growing importance of health and wellness for consumers, and we are enthusiastic about continuing to develop a leading health experience on our new unified platform with Google,” stated Samsung in an official blog post. “As consumers increasingly rely on wearable devices to monitor their health, we are proactively addressing these needs.”

Samsung intends to enhance user wellbeing through advanced health technology, empowering individuals to make positive lifestyle changes.

Future Galaxy Watch and Wear OS Developments

The next generation of the Galaxy Watch will be the first device to benefit from this partnership, although specific hardware details remain undisclosed. Significant announcements regarding Wear OS are anticipated within the coming year.

This collaboration signals Samsung’s commitment to fully embracing the platform and investing in its future success.

  • The partnership aims to create a unified platform for app development.
  • Both companies will leverage the strengths of their respective operating systems.
  • Improving battery life is a key objective of the collaboration.